Page 83 of Safe With You

Memories of last night greeted Katie the moment she woke in the morning. A smile followed. Everything had changed last night. It was as if a new path to her life had opened up before her. One she couldn’t wait to walk. She spent a few minutes praying over it until her phone chimed.

Her heart did a happy skip, recognizing the tone. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand. The text from Ethan simply read,Good morning. She couldn’t have stopped the sappy grin that grew on her face even if she wanted to. So she just let it take over as she texted a good morning back to him. A few moments later, another text came in.

Do you want to get breakfast with me?

She responded that she would love to, and he said he’d pick her up in half an hour. Sitting up, she grinned at O’Malley and scooted closer to rub his chin.

“I’m going on a date with Ethan.”

Her stomach fluttered. What a strange thing. She’d known him for so long, yet butterflies were still present at the thought of this being their first date—good butterflies, full of excitement and giddy anticipation—emotions she had experienced very little until now.

The giddiness followed her through the cottage as she prepared for him to arrive. She wasn’t nervous, exactly. Ethan was her best friend, but the new feelings and possibilities for the future swirled about her. It had never felt like this with Drew in all the years they’d dated. She experienced a brief stab of guilt to think that, but it wasn’t either of their faults. In the end, they just weren’t right together. She could only pray he would find someone who made him feel the same way Ethan made her feel.

When he arrived, she grabbed her purse and headed outside to meet him. He waited by the passenger door of his truck as she stepped out of the porch. They shared a smile. There was something different about his today now that the truth of his feelings had come to light. The warmth of it almost set her to blushing like when he’d picked her up for the wedding.

“Hi,” she murmured as she drew near him. Goodness knew why she suddenly felt shy when she’d known him for nearly thirty years.

His grin just deepened. “Hi.”

He opened the door for her, and she climbed into his truck. Once he’d gotten in his side and they pulled away from the cottage, Katie looked at him.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s a little café north of here. I drive by it once in a while, and I always wanted to take someone there someday.” He took his eyes off the road for just a moment to catch her gaze. “I never thought it would be you.”

Her heart warmed that she was the special one to experience this with him. “So, does your family know?”

“My mom and Becca do for sure. I went to tell them I’d put the fire out last night, and apparently, my face can’t keep a secret.”

Nerves pinched Katie’s stomach amidst the butterflies. Surely, they were okay with it, right? “What did they say?”

“That it was about time.”

She breathed out, releasing the nervousness. “I suppose they knew how you felt for a while.”

“Yeah. Joel and Becca grilled me about it a few weeks ago. According to Joel, they can read me like a book. It was starting to feel like everyone knew how I felt except you.”

“Sorry, I’m sure that’s my fault. I got scared and jumped to conclusions after the wedding. I should’ve had a real discussion about it instead of trying to panic fix it and unintentionally friend-zoning you.” If she’d slowed down that morning and focused more on seeking God’s direction than dwelling on her fear of losing Ethan, that conversation might have gone very differently.

“It’s as much my fault as yours. I jumped to conclusions too. I could have said more like Becca thought I should.”

“I’m glad you did say more last night.”

His smile made her wonder how she’d ever misread his reaction after the wedding dance. “Me too.”

They followed the highway north for twenty minutes before Ethan turned off. About a mile down a side road that appeared to lead to another small lake town, they pulled up to a cozy little restaurant tucked in the trees. It had a welcoming cottage vibe, and the weathered blue sign above the door readSugar Bowl Caféwith a cute illustration of a vintage sugar bowl underneath. Katie wondered what the story was behind it.

Ethan opened the door for her, and they entered a gift shop filled with knick-knacks and what looked to be locally handmade items. The scent of warm cinnamon permeated the entire area and made Katie’s mouth water. Fresh cinnamon rolls, if she were to guess.

A young woman at the front counter with a bright smile and auburn curls led them into a dining room with a mismatched assortment of tables and chairs. Many looked to be antiques. The decor displayed a mix of vintage country farmhouse and Northwoods items. Grandma would have loved it if only she were still here.

The hostess seated them at a little white table in a corner by the window, leaving each with a menu.

“This place is adorable.” Katie brushed her fingers over the blue checked tablecloth. “I had no idea it existed.”

“It only opened a few years ago. I’m surprised it gets enough business tucked away like this, but word-of-mouth helps. I don’t drive by often, but there are always several cars when I do.”

Katie scanned the room again, glancing over the other patrons seated and enjoying their breakfasts. Most were older couples, though she spotted one couple about their age and a family of four with two young children.

---